The largest burger franchise, McDonald’s is reportedly transforming its 43,000 restaurants with artificial intelligence and edge computing to enhance order accuracy, streamline operations, and preempt equipment failures.
According to the prominent news magazine, the franchise is planning to integrate internet-connected kitchen equipment, AI-powered drive-thoughts, and advanced data analytics to improve efficiency for both customers and employees.
McDonald’s Cuts Operational Stress
Brian Rice, McDonald’s Chief Information Officer, stated that technology-driven solutions will alleviate the stress faced by employees handling multiple order channels, including in-store, drive-through, and delivery.
“Our restaurants, frankly, can be very stressful. We have customers at the counter, we have customers at our drive-through, couriers coming in for delivery, delivery at curbside. That’s a lot for our crew to deal with. Technology solutions will alleviate the stress,” Brian Rice said.
McDonald’s has been experimenting with “voice-activated drive-throughs” and robotics fryers since 2019. The company is now working with Google Cloud to expand voice AI capabilities, which will refine automated order-taking and improve customer interactions.
The AI transformation comes as McDonald’s seeks to counteract sluggish U.S. sales and strengthen its customer loyalty base. The company strives to grow its loyalty program from 175 million to 250 million members by 2027.
In late 2023, McDonald’s partnered with Google Cloud to implement edge computing, which enables restaurants to analyze data locally rather than relying on cloud servers.
The introduction of a “generative AI virtual manager” is also on the horizon, which is designed to assist with administrative tasks such as shift scheduling. Industry experts note that while McDonald’s is a pioneer in AI adoption, cost, and franchise-wide implementation remain key challenges.
With AI integration, McDonald’s is planning to personalize promotions, offering customers targeted deals based on purchasing history and even weather conditions. “A customer who loves our sweet treats could get an offer for a McFlurry on a hot summer day,” Rice noted.
As McDonald’s accelerates its AI transformation, the fast-food industry watches closely to see how technology reshapes the customer experience and restaurant operations.
Source: https://www.wsj.com/articles/mcdonalds-gives-its-restaurants-an-ai-makeover-2134f01e?mod=tech_lead_pos2
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